January 8, 2013
If you feel like you get super dry skin and agitated allergies this time of the year, it’s no coincidence. There’s one common cause behind both: dry air.
There’s a simple reason why dry air plagues your home, and an even simpler way to solve dry air.
But before we get into how to solve dry air, let’s explain what dry air is and other symptoms associated with it.
What is dry air?
By “dry” air we mean the air in your home has low relative humidity or moisture. You experience dry air when the cold winter air (which holds less moisture than warm air) leaks into your home and then mixes with the inside air.
If you have leaks in your air ducts, forced air heating systems will exaggerate the amount of cool air sucked into your home and therefore lower the relative humidity of your home even further.
What are some other symptoms of dry air?
Besides unusually dry skin and agitated allergies, the other symptoms of dry air include:
As you can see, dry air affects your home as well. Deal with it before it causes any permanent damage.
The solution to dry air is simple: increase the relative humidity. However, the question, then, is the best method to accomplish that.
How do I get rid of dry air?
While there are numerous home remedies (hanging wet laundry clothes out to dry in your home or placing bowls full of water near a vent to release humidity into the air) we don’t recommend any of them.
You need a measurable, reliable way to increase the humidity in your home to the level you need it.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests keeping your home’s humidity level between 30-60% for optimum comfort (30% for winter and 60% for summer).
We suggest you use a whole-home humidifier to maintain the perfect level of humidity in your home.
A whole-home humidifier is installed directly into your home’s existing heating and cooling system. It introduces water vapor into your home to increase relative humidity and therefore helps you retain moisture in your body.
That means no more waking up feeling like a dried up prune!
Maintain year-round comfort
Don’t let that dry air ruin the comfort of your home, winter, or summer. Use a whole-home humidifier to increase the relative humidity in your home and notice the difference overnight!
Service Champions Heating & Air Conditioning serves the northern California area. For more information about us, or any of our products (including humidifiers) and services, contact us online.